Erawan Museum
A giant three-headed copper elephant in Samut Prakan with a museum and shrine inside, at BTS Chang Erawan. ฿500 for foreign adults, open daily.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 09:00–18:00
Dress Modestly
Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.
Finding your way around Erawan Museum
Layouts, fares and hours change. If something here has moved, use “Suggest a correction” at the bottom of the page.
Three levels, inside and under the elephant
- Underground
- The underworld level of the Buddhist universe, at the base of the building.
- Human world
- The hall that carries the elephant, standing for the world of people.
- Heaven
- The top level, inside the elephant's body, a shrine room.
Getting there and around
- BTS Chang Erawan (E17), exit 2, on the Sukhumvit line.
- The museum is at 99/9 Moo 1, Bang Mueang Mai, Mueang Samut Prakan. The Ancient City, built by the same founder, is also in Samut Prakan.
Details
- Phone
- 02 371 3135
- Website
- www.erawanmuseum.com
Full opening hours
Tours that include Erawan Museum
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Erawan Museum.
Why go, and how to do it well
The Erawan Museum is a giant three-headed copper elephant in Samut Prakan, just past Bangkok's southeastern edge, and the building is the reason to go. The museum calls it the largest copper Erawan in the world. It was created by Lek Viriyaphant, who also built the Ancient City (Muang Boran) and the Sanctuary of Truth, and it's laid out in three levels after the Buddhist picture of the universe. The underground level is the underworld, the hall above it is the human world, and the top level, inside the elephant's body, is heaven.
Allow an hour or two, longer if you follow the pilgrimage path past the shrines in the gardens. It pairs naturally with the Ancient City, the same founder's open-air park, also in Samut Prakan, and the two make a full day out from Bangkok. BTS Chang Erawan (E17), exit 2, is the nearest station.
The museum is open daily from 09:00 to 18:00, and ticket sales close at 17:00. Foreign adults pay ฿500 and children ฿250 on the museum's rate page, and the ticket includes flowers, incense and a lotus to offer inside. Audio guides come in Thai, English, Chinese, Korean and Russian. It's a shrine as well as a museum, and ticket sellers ask visitors to cover their shoulders and knees.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
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Experience hints
99/9 Moo 1, Bang Mueang Mai, Mueang Samut Prakan, Samut Prakan 10270, Thailand
Open in Google MapsTips for Visiting Temples & Culture
Mind Your Feet
Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.
Ask Before Photographing
Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.
Go Early Morning
Big-name temples are dramatically less crowded in the first hour after opening. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.
Erawan Museum: Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Erawan Museum ticket?
฿500 for foreign adults and ฿250 for children. The ticket includes flowers, incense and a lotus to offer inside, and audio guides come in Thai, English, Chinese, Korean and Russian.
What are the Erawan Museum's opening hours?
Daily from 09:00 to 18:00. Ticket sales close at 17:00.
Can I wear shorts in the Erawan Museum?
The museum's own site doesn't publish a dress code, but ticket sellers ask visitors to cover their shoulders and knees and to skip shorts, mini skirts and flip-flops, because it's a shrine as well as a museum. Long pants or a long skirt is the safe choice.
Is Erawan Museum worth visiting?
Erawan Museum holds a 4.5★ rating from 14,704 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Bangkok.
When is the best time to visit Erawan Museum?
The best months to visit Bangkok are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December & January — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: April – May (peak heat).
Where is Erawan Museum located?
Erawan Museum is at 99/9 Moo 1, Bang Mueang Mai, Mueang Samut Prakan, Samut Prakan 10270, Thailand, in Bangkok. Getting around Bangkok: BTS Skytrain (most central areas); MRT Metro (underground).
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